How to use "in the long run"

What Does "in the long run" Mean?

• What it expresses: time
• What part of the sentence it typically modifies: verb, whole clause
• Register: neutral

How to Use It

• Typical sentence positions: initial / mid / final — initial position is the most common and often the most natural.
• What it modifies and how it changes the meaning of a sentence: It modifies a verb or clause, indicating the ultimate or eventual outcome of an action or situation over an extended period.
• Grammatical flexibility: It can be fronted for emphasis, used with negation, and can appear in questions.
• What sounds unnatural or incorrect: While grammatically flexible, placing it awkwardly mid-sentence can sometimes disrupt the flow. For example, "It, in the long run, will be cheaper" sounds less natural than "In the long run, it will be cheaper." Avoid using it in contexts that clearly refer to the immediate future.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from in the long run on Ludwig.guru.

"In the long run?" — The New York Times - Sports

"It's cheaper in the long run"." — The New York Times

"In the long run, it helps me"." — The New York Times - Sports

"It saves money in the long run"." — Independent

"In the long run, this won't work." — The New York Times

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/in+the+long+run

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
eventually	A more general term for something that will happen at a later time; can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
ultimately	Implies a final outcome or result after a process or series of events; often used in more formal settings.
in the end	Similar to "eventually," but emphasizes the conclusion or resolution of a situation.
down the line	More informal; suggests a point further in the future.
over time	Focuses on the gradual process of change or development.
in the fullness of time	More poetic or formal; suggests a patient waiting for the right moment or outcome.
sooner or later	Emphasizes the inevitability of an event, regardless of the specific timing.

Common Mistakes

• Wrong position: Placing "in the long run" awkwardly in the middle of a clause can disrupt the flow. It's generally best at the beginning or end.
• Wrong scope of modification: Ensure it clearly modifies the intended verb or clause. Avoid ambiguity where it could apply to multiple parts of the sentence.
• Learners often confuse it with similar phrases like 'in the short term' or use incorrect prepositions, such as 'on the long run'. The correct preposition is always "in."

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Function	Register	Typical Position
in the long run	Indicates an outcome or effect that will become apparent over an extended period	Neutral	Initial

FAQs

Where should I place "in the long run" in a sentence?

"In the long run" typically appears at the beginning of a sentence to set the context or at the end as a concluding remark. While it can technically appear in the middle, this can sometimes sound awkward.

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How does "in the long run" differ from "eventually"?

Both phrases refer to a future time, but "in the long run" implies a more extended period and often considers the ultimate consequences of an action, whereas "eventually" is more general and simply means at some later time.

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Is it correct to say "on the long run"?

No, the correct preposition is "in." The phrase is always "in the long run." Using "on" is a common mistake among learners and should be avoided. Similarly, be careful not to confuse it with "in the short term," which refers to the immediate future.